Phoenix Theatre Ensemble Presents 4 Staged Readings of Eric Bentley's ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN

Artistic Directors Elise Stone and Craig Smith announce that Phoenix Theatre Ensemble will be presenting 4 staged readings of Eric Bentley's ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN, which is taken from the actual testimony of witnesses before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) during the late 1940's and early 1950's.

Performances will be at The Wild Project at 195 East 3rd Street (Avenue A & Avenue B), NYC on May 10 and May 11 @ 8PM; May 14 @ 2PM and May15 @ 3PM. ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN is playing in repertory with the world premiere of Joe Vitale's "Murrow" based on the career of the journalist Edward R. Murrow, who is credited stopping the HUAC "red scare" by his famous on-air interview with Senator Joe McCarthy.

PTE's Producing Artistic Director Craig Smith states that "Are You Now covers a time that is considered one of the most shameful periods of American history, a time of surveillance, suspicion, and fear of the other. The committee's zealousness to reveal fascist plots within the American system, turned the investigators themselves into fascists. Is it relevant today? Just turn on the news and listen to the current discussions of 'the other'. This is a perfect companion piece to play in rep with Joe Vitale's world premiere of Murrow."

ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN is being directed by New York Turkish director, Handan Ozbilgin. Ms Ozbilgin's multi-cultural cast includes Tony Naumovski, Nelson Patino Jr., Fabian Zarta, Julio Trinadad, Antoinette Ryan, who will present the testimony of Edward Dmytrk, Sterling Hayden, Lionel Stander, Larry Parks, Jose Ferrer, Jerome Robbins, Ring Lardner, Abe Burrows, and Arthur Miller. The chairman will be read by Cliff Billings and the investigator by John Cosentino and stage directions by Luisa Fer Alarcón. Lighting design is by YiChung Chen, video design by Luisa Fer Alarcon, sound design by Ellen Mandel, and John Elliot Yates is production stage manager.

Tickets are $25, discount 4-admission passes are available, TDF Vouchers are welcome. To order tickets call 212-352-3101 or visit PhoenixTheatreEnsemble.org

What: ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN by Eric Bentley

When: (5/10 & 5//11 @ 8PM; 5/14 @ 2PM and 5/15 @ 3PM)

Information: http://www.phoenixtheatreensemble.org/

Tickets: $25 each; Call 212-352-3101 or visit www.PhoenixTheatreEnsemble.org.

Where: The Wild Project @ 195 East 3rd Street (Avenue A and Avenue B)

Transportation:

By Subway: F Train to 2nd Avenue

By Bus: 8th Street Crosstown to Avenue A; 14A to 4thStreet